Cartridge-loading machine.



C. E. IACK. 1

CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, l9l5.

Patented June 12, 1917.

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C. E. JACK. CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IIIAY22.YI9I5.

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Patenfed 11111612, 19W.

C. E. .IACK

CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1915.

l ,229,467. Patented J line 12, 19W.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE@ CLARENCE EUGENE JACK, OF LOUVIERS, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS POWDER COMPANY, OF `VVILIVIINGrTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

CARTRIDGE-LOADING MACHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Application led May 22, 1915. Serial No. 29,737.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE EUGENE Jack, of Louviers, in the county of Douglas, and in the State of Colorado, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cartridge-Loading Machines, and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof. 1

My invention relates particularly to an apparatus for loading shells, but it has special reference to the loading of paper shells with dynamite.

My invention is an improvement over the mechanism shown in the patent to W.' I.' Donaldson, No. 899,592, September 29, 1908.'

IThe object of my invention is 4to provide an improved mechanism for the upstairs portion of the apparatus, whereby the friction incident to the operation of the Donaldf son mechanism in this portion of the apparatus while the tamping operation has been discontinued, is avoided to a large degree. In the reciprocation of the parts of the tamping rods inthe upstairs portion'of the Donaldson mechanism, and while the tamping operation has beendiscontinued, there is a large amount of friction which results in wear, andy similar disadvantages where a large amount of friction is present. 'V

In the detailed description of my invention hereinafter, I shall describe in ldetail only the upstairs portion of the mechanism, although the entire mechanism is shown in the drawings, inasmuch as the lower portion of the mechanism is exactly like the lower portion of the mechanism shown in the Donaldson patent above referred to.

.Vhile my invent-ion is capable of embodiment in many different forms, for the purpose of illustration, I shall show only one form thereof in the accomp'anying` drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the upstairs portion of machine made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 1a is a similar view'A ofthe downstairs portion of the same;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upstairs portion showing the parts in another position;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation partly in section of the same; and i Fig. ft is a section of one of the valves enlarged.

In the drawings I have shown in the up-l stairs portion of my apparatus a framework 1, having a main driving shaft 2 adapted to be rotated from any suitable source of power. This shaft 2 has on its two ends two eccentrics 3, which are designed to-move a pair of connecting rods 4, the upper ends of which are connected to stud shafts 5 car- -ried by a reciprocating crosshead 6. The

crosshead 6 is arranged to move up and down in the framework 1 on any suitable guides. In the crosshead 6 there are a plurality of cylinders 7, each of which is proyvided at its top with an air inlet pipe 8 connected by a flexible Ihose 9 to an air tank 10. The air tank 10 may be provided with compressed air through a supply pipe 11 having an vadjustable reducing valve 12 therein for adjusting the pressure within the tank 10. Within each of the cylinders 7 lthere is a piston 13 carried by a piston -rod 141;. VThese piston rods 14 pass out through packings 15 Aon the lower ends of the cylinders and through cylinder heads 16.

In each of the cylinder heads 16 there is an air vent pipe 17 having a branch 18, provvided with 'a hand valve 19 which is arranged to be normally opened to a small degree. The pipe 17 also has a further 'branch 20, provided-with a check valve 21 for permitting the entry of air into the end of the cylinder 7, but preventing the passage -of the air through the branch 20 in the opposite direction. vThe purpose of the pipe 2O and the check valve 21 is to freely permit the'entry of air into the lower end of the Icylinder 7, so as not-'to retard the upward movement of the corresponding rod 14C, but to'prcvent the escape of the air through the .-valve 21 upon the downward movement of -the rod lil, so as to permit the escape of the Iairv upon such downward movement, to be vcontrolled by the pipe 18 and the valve 19, which is maintainedy in a slightly opened 'position7 so as to permit the gradual escape yci'procate in a guide 25 Each of the tubes 110 23 has a vertical slot 26 to receive a dogging pin 27, which is supported for horizontal reciprocation in a bracket 28 carried by the tube 23. Each of the dogging pins 27 is normally forced into the adjacent slo-t 26 by a spring 29 while a downwardly depending pin 30 holds the dogging pin 29 in place on the bracket 28. The bracket 28 may be clamped to the tube 23 in any suitable manner as by a split ring having clampingv ears 31. In the tamping operation, when the rod 14 with the tube 23 has reached the upper end. of its path, the `dogging pin 27 becomes engaged by a projection 32 on a casting 33 carried by a square shaft 34. At the same time, the end of the bracket 28 becomes engaged with a spring-pressed pawl 35, located on the same casting 33, so that by these operations the dogging pin 27 becomes released from the shoulder 22, thus permitting the rod 14 to reciprocate independently of the tube 23, while at the same time, the tube 23 is maintained at the upper end of its path by engagement with the pawl In order to disengage the pawls 35 from the brackets 28 at the proper time Vin the operation of the machine, the shaft 34 and the castings 33 located thereon are arranged to be moved horizontally in bearings 36 in the framework 1 by means of air pressure exerted against a piston 37 attached to one end thereof and reciprocating in a cylinder 38 located in the framework 1. Air is applied tothe cylinder 38 by an air inlet pipe 39. The movement of the square shaft 34 in the opposite direction is effgcted by a spring 40 located at the other end of the square shaft 34.

The rods 14 are arranged to gradually rise as the shells of thc cartridges become gradually filled during the tamping operation, and during this rising movement they are arranged to be held at any elevation reached at the lower end of a particular reciprocation according to the height of the dynamite contained in the shells. This is accomplished by a series of friction pawls 41, which bear against the rods 14 on one side thereof, said rods being supported on the opposite sides thereof by' brackets 42 depending fromthe crosshead 6. These pawls `41 are pivoted upon a shaft 43 located in brackets 44, also depending from the crosshead 6. Each of the pawls 41 has in its interior, however, a chamber 44a to receive 'a springk 45, which is located between one end of the chamber 44a and a plate 46 located radially of the shaft 43 and projecting into the chamber 44a. rlhe plate 46 is normally moved in the vdirection which will result in forcing the pawls 41 in a downward direction against the sides of the rods 14 by a spring'47 which rests against one side of a lever 48 attached to one end of the shaft 43 and the other end of which rests against an abutment 49 attached to one of the depending brackets 44. The lever 48 has, furthermore, on its end, a roller 50 which is designedto coperate with a cam lever 51, pivoted at its lower end to the im framework 1 and attached at its upper endV by a link 52 to a piston rod 53 connected to a piston 54, adapted to reciprocate in a cylinder 55, having an air supply pipe 56. A spring 57 is located'within the cylinder 55 15 so as to normally retract the cam lever 51. At its upper end the crosshead 6 has an upwardly directed'bracket 58, which supports a horizontally reciprocable knocker 59,' having at one end an upwardly directed projection 60, and at the other end, a hori- Zontally located piston rod 61 connected to a piston 62 in a cylinder 63, providedrwith air from a pipe 64. Within the cylinder 63,

there is a spring 65 which normally retracts 35 the knocker 59. The knocker 59 has, furthermore, at one side thereof a pin 66 which is designed to be engaged by a springpressed catch 67 pivoted tothe bracket 58. -This spring-pressed catch 67 has a down- 90 wardly directed arm 68, which is designed to contact with a stopv 69, projecting laterally from the framework 1. The upwardly vdirected projection 60 is arranged'to operate a valve lever 70 supported by the frame- 95 work 1 and connected to a rotary valve 71.

V'Ih'isrotary valve 71 is a Vthree-way valve,

and has an inlet pipe 72, an outlet pipe 73, and a vent opening'74. In the interior of -the valve, there is a passageway 75, which loo pipe 73 branches so as to connect the valve 105 71 with the pipe 39 and the pipe 56.

In the operation of my invention, it will be assumed that the parts are all in the position in which the tamping operation in the filling of the dynamite shells with dynamite is about to begin. In this position of the parts, the brackets 28 will be in engagement with the pawls 35, the clogging pins 27 being moved out of engagement with the shoulders 22 by contact with the vprojections 115 32. At the 'same time, the friction pawls 41 will rest Vagainst the sides of the rods 14. Furthermore, at the same time,. the knocker 59 will be in' the position shown in l Fig. 1 with the pin V66 out of engagement 120 with the catch 67, and the valve 71 rwill be 'in a position in which the cylinders 88 and 55 will be vented to the outer air through the vent 74as shown in- Fig. 6. When now the mechanismV in the lower part of the apyparatus has been moved into, such a position as to be ready for the fil-ling and tamping of another series of shells, this being done by operating the handle 511 of the Y Donaldson patent, above referred to, air '139 will be admitted to the pipe 64, this pipe being' connected with pipe 510 of said patent as shown in Fig. 1a. This will move the piston 62 forward, thereby moving the knocker 59 to the left until the pin 66 thereon engages with the spring-pressed catch 67. This will take place at the lower end of the path of movement of the cross head 6, the latter being always moved up and down by the connecting rods 4 during the operation of the machine. The upward movement of the crosshead 6 now brings the projection 60 and the knocker 59 into conf tact with one end of the valve lever 70, thereby shifting the valve so as to move the pipe 73 out of communication with the vent 74, and bring the air supply pipe 72 int-o communication with the pipe 73. Compressed air is now supplied through the pipes 39 and 56 to the cylinders 38 and 55.

. The compressed air admitted to the cylinder 38, moves the piston 37 therein in` opposition to the spring 40, so as to move the square shaft 34 and its attached castings 33 laterally, thus disengaging all ofthe pawls 35 from the brackets28 so as to cause the clogging pins 27 to become engaged with the shoulders 22, thereby securely fastening the rods 14 and the tubes 26 together for reci-procation in the tamping of the dynamite in the shells. The air which is admitted to the cylinder from the pipe 56 moves the cam lever 51 forwardly thereby moving the lever 48 so as to bring the plate 46 on the shaft 43 into contact with one end of the chamber 44, thereby moving the pawls 41 out of engagement with the sides of the rods 14. The air pressure in the cylinders 7 now forces the tamping rods, including the rods 14 and the tubes 26 downwardly so as to begin the tamping of the dynamite in the shells. Then now the crosshead 6 moves downwardly, the arm 68 upon the catch 67 engages the stop 69 so as to release the catch 67 from the pin 66, whereupon the spring in the cylinder 63 moves the knocker 59 to the right so as to bring the projection 60 under the other end of the valve lever 70. The upward movement of the crosshead 6 now causes the projection 60 to contact with said other end of the valve lever 70, thereby moving the valve so as to cut off communication between the pipes 72 and 73, and so as to bring the lpipe 73 into communication with the outer air through the vent 74. The air in the cylinders 38 and 53 now becomes exhausted. As a consequence, the pawls 35 are moved back into their original position, while the shaft 43 is rotated so as to move the plates 46 out of engagement with the ends of the chambers 44a, thereby causing the springs 45 to move the friction pawls 41 against the sides of the rods 14. As the dynamite is now gradually fed into the shells, the lower limits of the movement of the tamping rods, including the rods 14 and the tubes 26, are gradually raised, thereby gradually elevating the rods 14 and the tubes 26, and as a consequence the friction pawls 41 hold the rods 14 in such a manner that they cannot in' any one reciprocation pass below the lower limit of movement in their previous reciprocation. In this way, the rods 14 are gradually raised by the dyamite in the shells, until the brackets 28 come into engagement with the pawls 35 and until the dogging pins 27 release the shoulders 22 by the engagement of the flogging pins with the projections 32. The rods 14 are now free to move in the tubes 26 during the continu-ed reci-procation of the crosshead 6 without causing the tubes 26 and their connected parts located in the lower part of the apparatus to move in their respective guides. If the said parts were required to move in their guides during the reciprocation of the crosshead 6, there would be a considerable amount of friction with consequent wear of parts, loss of power, etc., all of which is obviated by the apparatus when constructed as described in detail above.

While I have described my invention above in detail, I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. I claim:

1. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a. cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising compressed air operated connections between the cross-head and the tamping means.

2. In a cartridge loading machine, tampingmeans, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between thc cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means.

3. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the crosshead and the tamping means and compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder.

4. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, and

means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising compressed air operated connections between the cross-head and the tamping means.

5. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means.

6. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, and means Afor avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thro-wn out of operation, comprising acylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder.

7. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamloed, comprising a frictionl pawl, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tampin g means when the tamping means` has been thrown out of operation.

8. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive beingY tamped, comprising a friction pawl, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation comprising a Vcylinder and piston connection between the cross-head andthe tamping means.

9. In a cartridge loading machine, `tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping lmeans when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connectionbetween the cross-head and the tamping means, and compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder. f

10. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl pivoted to a pawl releasing shaft, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation.

11. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry thel same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl., a pawl releasing shaft cn which it is pivoted, and

means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection betweenthe cross-head and the.,

tamping means. y Y

12. In a cartridgey loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having mean-s to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, Y

' comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, and. means for avoiding friction between the crosshead and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation comprisingV a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder.

13. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, andl means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and pistonconnection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod' from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating.

14. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation comprising a cylinder and piston Aconnection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating. 1

15. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation towhich it is moved by the explosive being tamped, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating.

1S. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the saine, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating.

17. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary whenthe latter is not operating.

18. n a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl. and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating.

19. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating.

20. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl pivoted to a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating.

2l. In a cartridge loading machine, tamplng means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket.

22. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the crosshead and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket.

23. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, and

means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the ta-inping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging saidk bracket.

' 2A. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the saine, having means to maintain the tampe ing means at any elevation to which it is moved 'by the explosive being tamped, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means'has been thrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection 'between the cross-head and the tamping means, com-pressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tainping means, a clogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod anda pawl for engaging said bracket.

'25. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means vto maintain the tamping means rat any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, coinprising a friction pawl, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the 1 tamping means when the tamping means has ,been thrown out of operation comprising .a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tainping p means, and means for disconnecting the pist-on rodnfgrom the tamping means "and holding the latter kstationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket ron the tainping means, a clogging pin thereon for Vengaging the piston 'rod and a pawl for engaging Isaid bracket.

26. In a cartridge loading machine, `tampiiig means, `a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved bythe explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head Aand the tamping means when the tainping means has been Ithrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and `piston connection between the y cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, aV do'gging pin thereon for engaging the piston yrod and a pawl for engaging said bracket.

27. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted Lto carry the same, 'having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tainped, comprisingY comprising a bracket on the 'tamping means,

a dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket.

28. Ina lcartridge loading machine, tampiiig means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation -to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft 'on which it is pivoted, and means for avoiding friction 4between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and ypiston connection between the cross-head and the tam-ping means, coinpressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for vdisconnecting the piston rod from the t ta-mping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means,

a ldogging pin thereon for engaging the piston -rod yand a pawl for lengaging said bracket.

n a cartridge loading machine, tamping mea-ns, across-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the taiiiping mea-ns a-t Aany elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tam-ping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont (if-operation comprising a cylinder yand -piston connection between 1the cross-head and the tainping means, and means for 4disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter `stationary when the latter is not operating, 'and inea-ns cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl.

30. ln a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the friction between the cross-head and theV tam-ping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connectionbetween the iso cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, and means cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl.

3l. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a. friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter' is not operating, and means cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl.

32. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, and means cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl. A

33. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the crosshead and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl.

34. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the crosshead and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a clogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl.

35. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown ont of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the crosshead and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a clogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means cooperating with the cross-head vfor releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl.

3G. n a cartridge loading machine tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which ittis moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the taniping means has been thrown ont of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not cperating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a clogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means cooperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl. l

. 37. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-headv and the tamping means, .and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing devices.

38. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved. by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has-been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping .means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted yto be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and tothe said pawl releasing devices. ,y

39. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation. to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston Vconnection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and

means for disconnectig the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a lmocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted -to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing-devices.

40.V In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain 4the tamping means at any elevation to which it is' moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl Vreleasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the .piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is notoperating,`y and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising 'an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for `engaging the knocker, a. rotary valye adapted to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing devices.

41. In a cartridge loading machine, tampsame, having mea'ns to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is Y moved by the explosive being tamped, Vcomprising a friction pawl, means for avoiding friction between the cross head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been th-rown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, andmeans for disconnecting the piston rod from-the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not oper- Y ating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing devices.l 42. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl,means for avoiding friction between theV cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder andV piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means, and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a. dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing devices.

43. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising aA friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when. the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, adogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and a pawl for engaging said bracket, and means coperating with the cross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing devices. v

44. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the/ same, having means to maintain the tamping means at any elevation to which it is moved by the explosive being tamped, comprising a friction pawl, a pawl releasing shaft on which it is pivoted, means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation,

comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means, compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, and means for disconnecting the piston rod from the tamping means and holding the latter stationary when the latter is not operating, comprising a bracket on the tamping means, a dogging pin thereon for engaging the piston rod and pawl for engaging said bracket, and means coperating with thecross-head for releasing the friction pawl and the bracket engaging pawl, comprising an air cylinder, a knocker connected thereto, a catch for engaging the knocker, a rotary valve adapted to be moved by the knocker and compressed air connections through the valve and to the said pawl releasing devices.

45. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when thc tamping means has been thrown out of operation comprising a cylinder and piston connection between the cross-head and the tamping means and compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, saidcylindcr having means for producing a reduced pressure on the other side of the piston from the portion' containing the compressed air.

46. In a cartridge loading machine, tamping means, a cross-head adapted to carry the same, and means for avoiding friction between the cross-head and the tamping means when the tamping means has been thrown out of operation, comprising a cylinder and piston connection vbetween the cross-head and the tamping means and compressed air connections for forcing the piston forwardly in the cylinder, said cylinder having means for producing a reduced pressure on the other side of the piston from the portion containing the compressed air, comprising means to permit air to readily escape therefrom but to retard the entry of ,air into the same.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

CLARENCE EUGENE JACK. Witnesses:

C. D. PoRoH, F. H. RoUsn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. C. 

